Defying easy categorization, striking a harmonious balance between melodic hardcore, emotive post hardcore from your favorite 00s era and pop-punk, Seattle-based rockers Pastel Faces have made a return to the scene with their latest EP, “Blossom“.
Straddling the genres of melodic hardcore and pop-punk, Pastel Faces captivate listeners with Jonno Ruiz’s powerful lead vocals and catchy, standout choruses. The band demonstrates a high level of technical prowess, while still creating space for deep and genuine narratives.
Following their debut single, “Dead Weight” in 2021, this Seattle-based quartet has steadily grown its fanbase along the West Coast.
Hailing from a city renowned for its innovative and pioneering guitar-driven music, Pastel Faces consistently avoids being boxed into a single genre. Their upcoming five-track EP, Blossom, harmoniously intertwines pulsating riffs and compelling hooks. Dillon Patrick, one of the band’s own members, has produced this EP, effectively merging various influences to create an atmosphere that is brimming with emotion and vitality, showcasing the full range of Pastel Faces‘ skill and sincerity.
Comprised of five unique tracks, the new EP provides a reflective and powerful exploration of lifeโs ups and downs, heavily intertwined with the theme of mental resilience.
“Silver Lining” starts with melodic hardcore influence, focusing on the idea of optimism even in the face of adversity. “Sakura Bloom” introduces a fusion of genres, celebrating the vitality of life, while “No Requiem” presents a fast-paced musical journey inspired by Japanese anime and video game narratives. The penultimate track, “Stay,” delves into emotional depths with its narrative centered on safety and love in relationships.
Lastly, “Heaven Sword” encapsulates the essence of Pastel Faces, blending diverse musical elements to highlight the struggle and triumph over mental health issues.
The EP’s lyrics, songwriting, and unique sound provide listeners with a blend of emotional and energetic experiences, representing the band’s multifaceted musical identity.
In the spirit of celebrating the EP and Seattle’s vibrant music scene, here are five emerging bands from the city that you should keep an eye on.
Pastel Facesโ Top 5 Emerging Bands in Seattle
No Home
Melodic Hardcore
If you want fast/aggressive/melodic/emotional subjects all in one, then this is the band thatโs perfect for you. These guyโs deliver the same energy live. Their song โNothing Gold Can Stayโ empathizes with people who struggle day to day with mental health, depression, etc. The engagement that this band offers that expression through this song. Along with songs like โNarrativeโ which channels the mentality of self-doubt, melodically this band does not cut any corners. They simply just want to make you either mosh or circle-pit all day long, if not just vibe and connect emotionally. They recently started teasing new music so be on the lookout for that.
Designer Disguise
Metalcore / Pop
This is a band that constantly evolves every time they release a new song. From metalcore to rnb to pop to nu-metal, they always deliver. Their album โElswaerโ displays all these characteristics very prominently. From โAbandon Shipโ has that contrast of nu-metal rap with singing/screaming throughout to huge choruses like in โStardustโ. For a band that fleshes out so many genres at once, they are able to make a cohesive unit. Not to mention theyโre simply just a fun band to watch and listen to. With covers like โGet Lowโ to โChandelierโ , you can sense theyโre able to tackle almost any song you toss their way and make it work so well.
Dusty Cubby
Midwest Emo/Alternative
Theyโre pushing the midwest emo scene to the northwest ๐ Midwestern emo? More like Northwestern Emo ๐ค That alternative feel along with a more upbeat grunge these guys deliver are what makes them stand out in the PNW. Their nostalgic feel from songs like โCwasontโ that capture that early alt sound while staying upbeat. To their recent songs like โYukon Sucker Punchโ which delivers a constant growth from this band with the more emo aggression. Youโre in for a treat if you ever catch these guys live.
Thirty Seven
Post-grunge
Discovering this band was a gem. Theyโre right in that sweet spot between grunge and emo. They deliver raw emotions with their progressive build up in vocals to compliment their ethereal chordings. In their song โBleedโ feels like a journey with stops and surprises, you wonโt be disappointed. The arrangement in โEstrangedโ sets another good example that this band has made their mark in their music, they know what theyโre about and we canโt recommend them enough. Be on the lookout for their new releases.
Kaizo
Metallic Hardcore
One of the most exciting hardcore bands there currently is in the Seattle scene, Kaizo came out swinging with their debut EP โDiscard Vol: 1โ in early 2021, which features songs such as โUnjustโ and โEulogyโ. They followed this up with their EP โDiscard Vol: 2โ which not only continued the sound they had established on the former EP, but evolved their mixture of heavy hitting guitars and lyrics about the sheer hopelessness of life. Anytime theyโre on a lineup you can guarantee that the entire front of the crowd will be full of people hardcore dancing throughout their whole set. Whether we get a Discard Vol: 3 or something else entirely, whatever they have in store in the future is guaranteed to only elevate them even more.
Honorable mentions:
- Pine Box – Metallic Hardcore
- Rather Ordinary Dudes – Emo/Math Rock
- The Lion and The Sloth – Post Hardcore/Shoegaze
- Eyas/Luna – Metalcore/Hardcore
- Lillith. – Metalcore
- Dark Harbor – Post Hardcore
